I attended Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School from 2001 to 2005.  In the spirit of the back-to-school season, I decided to return to L-S, these five years later.  I walked in the heavy metallic doors Thursday, the second day of school, to see what L-S has become compared to when I was a student.  

At first, I am wary, almost uncomfortable walking around with my camera and 23-year-old tattooed, older self.  I glance around corners, trying not to be seen.  My prayers are answered when I realize I have come during class time.  Only maintenance workers will be roaming the halls at this hour.  I select a random staircase and venture down to the bottom floor of Building A.  As luck would have it, I stumble directly upon my old stomping grounds — the art floor.  I find myself staring into the vacant chorus room, where I had spent a lot of time singing my little heart out.  I used to live in there: practicing for solo auditions, having voice lessons, laughing and playing with my old choir buddies.  I can already feel the nostalgia building inside me.

I turn away to see, directly across from the choir room,  the radio station.  I remember my brother and his friends had a show Monday nights on that station.  They all were engulfed and enthralled by music at a young age; they still are.  The L-S radio station helped them explore the unfathomable depth that is music, and I would like to think L-S is providing the same opportunity for students today.   

I stroll down the hall, feeling a bit more comfortable, taking pictures of familiar skylights and posters of old theatre productions.  I notice some students sitting under the stairs on the allotted carpet hangout.  They smile and wave as if I was their peer.  I am blown away. I was sure I would be scoffed at and ogled.  Yet here these kids are, making no judgements and being friendly.  

Now that I think of it, I always remember L-S being a very friendly place.  There were hardly any cliques and, mostly, everyone was very accepting of each other's individuality.  Those two students who smiled and waved showed me that L-S is still a place full of energy, curiosity and open-mindedness.

The most familiar aspect of L-S for me is the presence of art. There are murals on every wall. Every display case showcases student work; even classroom doors are littered with teachers' favorite cut-outs of photographs, illustrations and comics.  When I was in school, I found it easy to explore all mediums of fine art whether it was film with Mr. Sarapas, photography with Ms. Peterson or drama with the Plotts and Mr. Germanotta.  From what I can see, L-S still values art as much as it did when I was a student.  

As I look around the glass connector of buildings A and B, I notice a group of young girls, five of them, each texting on their sparkly cell phones.  I guess the technology has changed.  I hardly used a cell phone until I was in college, now everyone has a miniature computer in their pocket.  But really, technology is the only difference I can see between then and now. 

Kids are still kids, L-S still has wonderful teachers and facilities, and individuality still rings out around every corner.